Sealed Slide Fastener Structure to Prevent Element Peeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing slide fasteners face issues with imperfect sealing due to rotational forces causing peeling of fastener elements, manufacturing complexities from injection holes, and material incompatibilities leading to potential leakage and poor adhesion.

Innovation Solution

A slide fastener design with a seal part adhered to the fastener tape surface, extending into the groove of the fastener element, and made of compatible polyurethane materials, ensuring robust sealing and stable engagement without consolidation blocks or injection holes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If seal parts extend beyond the edge portion of fastener tapes and are received in grooves of coupling portions, then sealing function is improved, but rotational force causes peeling-off of fastener elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing functionVSAvoidfastener element stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fastener element is divided into two functional parts: the coupling portion with groove for sealing, and the base portion for attachment to fastener tape. This segmentation allows each part to optimize its function - the coupling portion provides sealing while the base portion provides stable attachment, preventing peeling-off under rotational force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seal part is nested within the groove of the coupling portion, which itself is part of the fastener element. This nested structure allows the seal part to be securely positioned in the groove while the fastener element remains firmly attached to the fastener tape through its base portion, preventing peeling-off.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If holes are provided along side portions of fastener tapes for injection fixation, then fastener element attachment is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases and leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastener element attachmentVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the holes from the fastener tape structure. Instead of injecting fastener elements through holes in the fastener tape, the fastener elements are attached to the surface of the fastener tape without requiring penetration holes, thereby simplifying manufacturing and eliminating leakage paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potential harm of holes (which create leakage paths) into a benefit by eliminating holes entirely. The seal part extends beyond the edge portion of the fastener tape and is received in the groove of the coupling portion, providing sealing without requiring holes through the fastener tape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Strength

If pressure portions are integrally formed with coupling portions using hard material, then structural strength is improved, but sealing performance deteriorates due to material incompatibility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling portion strengthVSAvoidsealing performance

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling portion has different local qualities: the groove area is designed for receiving the seal part with appropriate geometry for sealing, while the base portion provides strong attachment to the fastener tape. This local differentiation allows the groove to optimize sealing contact while the base portion provides structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The fastener element functions as a composite structure combining the coupling portion for engagement and sealing, and the base portion for attachment. The seal part made of elastomeric material complements the hard material of the fastener element, creating a composite sealing system that combines strength and sealing performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The design provides a strong, durable sealing function with improved fastener stabilization and manufacturing efficiency by eliminating rotational peeling and material incompatibilities, enhancing adhesion and sealing performance.

Implementation Method 1

a seal part which is adhered to a surface portion of the fastener tape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

the seal part of each of the pair of fastener stringers being in sealing abutment when the slide fastener is in an engaged state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing abutment:

Data Source

PatentUS20260033602A1Slide fastener with sealing function

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 YKK CORP

AI summary

The present invention relates to a slide fastener including: a pair of fastener stringers, each of the pair of fastener stringers including a fastener tape and a fastener element row; and a slider for engagement and disengagement of fastener elements. Each of the fastener elements includes a base portion and a coupling portion, and a groove. Each of the pair of fastener stringers includes a seal part which is adhered to a surface portion of the fastener tape thereof and which extends beyond an edge portion of the fastener tape into the groove of the fastener element. The edge portion of the fastener tape of each of the pair of fastener stringers is located in the groove of the fastener element of the opposite fastener tape respectively, when the slide fastener is in an engaged state.